The Connection

Through Aug. 30, Glen Echo Park’s Photoworks is showcasing the 2015 Juried Youth Photography Exhibition. Since mid-July, the selected work of 18 photographers under aged 18 and under has been on display. The 2015 Juried Youth Photography Contest and Exhibition has been so successful that Gayle Rothschild, the director and curator of exhibitions, said she has already put next year’s youth exhibit on the calendar.

“It’s been great,” Rothschild said of the contest and the resulting exhibition. “It has generated a lot of excitement with the teens. A lot of people came to the opening. Young people are keeping in touch with Glen Echo because they feel it is welcoming. We love to generate a community that likes to stay around.”

Photoworks is one of Glen Echo Park’s art studios that functions as a not-for-profit resource for all local photographers. In its more than 40 years of operation, it has supported local artists with photography training, galleries and overall inspiration.

Selfie was the theme of this particular contest, which was open to all local photographers ages 18 and under. More than 30 emerging artists submitted self-portraits and other “selfie”-related photographs to the contest, and the work of 18 applicants were chosen for the summer exhibition. The self-portraits were taken with all kinds of lenses, from traditional cameras to cell phones.

The work was selected and awarded by two judges, both professional photographers. The awards included grand, first, second and third prizes, as well as two honorable mentions.

First prize winner Logan Mallory, a Bethesda resident and rising senior at Walter Johnson High School, said this is the first time he has been officially recognized in the photography community. While he has enjoyed snapping photos since he was 9 years old, this was his first experience with Photoworks.

“Being a part of this exhibition and winning first place felt really nice,” Mallory said. “This is my first big exhibition and contest so it felt great to feel support for my photography and to have people like my photos besides my family. It has definitely inspired me to take even more photos and learn more about photography.”

Mallory’s prizewinning image, “Christmas,” was a black and white photo of his own reflection in a Christmas tree ornament. Taken in 2012, he had no idea it would be on display for public viewing more than two years later.

“I had just gotten my first nice camera for Christmas,” Mallory recalled, setting the scene for his photo. “I was really happy with the photo. Turning it black and white, the photo became less about Christmas and you could see more of myself in it.”

He said the other portraits he submitted, “Starry Night,” and “Selfie,” are also on display at Photoworks. His “Selfie” photograph is actually not even a picture he took of himself, but one he shot of a girl in Prague taking a “selfie” in a public park.

Chevy Chase resident Gina Balodemas was the recipient of this year’s Photoworks Emerging Artist award. Balodemas has been involved with Photoworks for a few years, but this was the first time her work has earned her an award. Her submission on display is titled “Masked.”

“My mom had these masks that she bought from New Orleans,” she said. “I had never used them, because, where are you going to use a mask when you’re 18 years old? I put one on and put on black eye makeup. I used my phone and took pictures, some with flash and some without. I took an hour’s worth of photos and picked the ones I liked to submit.”

This was the first year that Photoworks presented the “Emerging Artist” award, and Balodemas was thrilled to be the inaugural recipient.

“This was the first year they did this award so it was so exciting,” she said. “I have never been awarded for anything in my life except for academics. I was very surprised and felt very proud of myself. It’s really exciting to be a part of this.”

Balodemas said this is her last year she can be considered for youth contests at Photoworks, but she plans on taking more classes in the upcoming year.

“It’s a fun outlet,” she said. “It’s fun to get away from the whole school, college thing.”

Mallory, who has received no formal photography training, and only heard about the contest through a family friend, said he is looking forward to now being a part of the Photoworks community.

“I’ve taken photography classes at school and have done a couple of gigs, but I am not professionally trained,” Mallory said. “Being a part of this has made me feel more empowered and has given me more confidence in my photography.”